Do Keets Need a Nest?

User Question
I always cover my parakeets cage at night so that he can sleep, but I didn't know if I should purchase a makeshift "nest" (Pet stores sell them) for him to sleep in. It just looks incredibly uncomfortable to sleep standing on a perch all night long. Do his legs need to rest at night? I've had him for several years, but I'm starting to hear people talk about supplying a nest for their bird to sleep in, which I hadn't thought about before. Is my parakeet perfectly content to sleep standing up, like he always has, or should I give him a nest? Thanks so much!

Lisa's Answer
Nests are for breeding :) Birds in the wild don't really hang out in nests when they're not laying eggs, they stay on branches. That's how they're comfortable. They are very, very light so their legs don't get tired. It actually gives them a sense of security, to be nice and firmly anchored to a perch. The problem with those nest things is they collect poop and get smelly.

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